ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to lessen the need to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
adhd in adult women treatment (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, such as treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can help improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can create problems at school or work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it helps them change their negative beliefs and behaviours. It is focused on teaching you how to use strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of a limited range of choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work, establish predictable routines that help you manage your money and time and create an optimistic image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other forms of exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain that they are unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is due to ADHD instead of the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary between 70 and 80percent. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low-dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.